PS Plus vs. Xbox Games With Gold: Which Free Games Are Better? (January 2019)

PS Plus vs. Xbox Games With Gold: Which Free Games Are Better (January 2019)?

Sony PS Plus

Not since the first SSX have we been treated to a snowboarding game that packs the same innovation and quality as Steep. If you haven’t already played it, Ubisoft’s extreme snowboarding game headlines this month’s PS Plus “free” games.

Here’s what we said about Steep in our own review:

“The developers deserve credit for trying something different instead of just being another SSX clone. If you are willing to fully embrace and appreciate what makes Steep unique, namely its take on group play, the ability to create your own authentic looking videos, and freedom to explore a mountain at your own pace, your trip to the Alps will have been one worth taking.

Portal Knights is your second PS4 title this month, a builder/adventure game that marries Minecraft-like sandbox play to a charming adventure story. While it doesn’t quite pack the wonder and awe of the genre-leader that it’s inspired by, Portal Knights is a super relaxed, pleasant sort of experience that’s both visually appealing to behold and entertaining to play.

Elsewhere on the service, subscribers can download Zone of the Enders HD Edition and Amplitude on PS3.

The first is a compilation of two mech games that many veteran gamers will have fond memories of, even if they are a little dated by today’s standards. The latter is a polished rhythm game in which you play as a sort of laser-shooting ship that blasts nodes on a track, which represents the beat of the music. Both are solid games, albeit not must-plays.

As for Sony’s handheld console, the Vita gets Fallen Legion: Flames of the Rebellion (also available on PS4 via cross-buy) and Super Mutant Alien Assault. One is an RPG, one is a platformer, and neither of them is particularly good.

I had hoped that Sony would ramp up the PS3 and Vita games as we move closer to the platforms being dropped in from the service in March, but January is among the weaker months we’ve seen recently.

• Steep (PS4)
• Portal Knights (PS4)
• Zone of the Enders HD Edition (PS3)
• Amplitude (PS3)
• Fallen Legion: Flames of the Rebellion (PS Vita & PS4)
• Super Mutant Alien Assault (PS Vita)

As a reminder, you can still download December’s PS Plus Games if you haven’t already.

PS Plus vs. Xbox Games With Gold: Which Free Games Are Better (January 2019)?

Xbox Games with Gold

Xbox Games with Gold kicks off in a very positive way this year with the awesome Celeste available “free” for subscribers throughout the entire month. One of 2018’s big highlights, Celeste won Twinfinite’s Indie Game of the Year award, and it scooped up numerous awards from other outlets as well.

The pixelated platformer might not look much at first glance, but don’t be fooled: this a deeply engaging experience from both a gameplay and story perspective. It isn’t to be missed.

Later in the month, WRC 6 FIA World Rally Championship is available on Xbox One, a hyper-realistic rally-sim that challenges players to overcome 11 punishing stages in everything from blistering sunshine to rain, sleet, and snow.

The two Xbox 360 games, also available on Xbox One via backward compatibility, are Lara Croft: Guardian of Light and Far Cry 2. Both are quality games well worth playing. Guardian of Light is the spin-off isometric-style Tomb Raider experience that can be played cooperatively, while Far Cry 2 still represents the iconic series’ high water mark for many.

• Celeste: Available Jan. 1 to 31 on Xbox One
• WRC 6: Available Jan. 16 to Feb. 15 on Xbox One
• Lara Croft: Guardian of Light: Available Jan. 1 to 15 on Xbox One and Xbox 360
• Far Cry 2: Available Jan. 16 to 31 on Xbox One and Xbox 360

PS Plus vs. Xbox Games With Gold: Which Free Games Are Better (January 2019)?

Who Wins?

Sony started 2018 with bang last January when it revealed the critically acclaimed RPG Deus Ex Mankind Divided would headline PS Plus’ “free” games lineup for the month. For 2019, the first year of the month certainly isn’t packing the same sort of oomph.

While Steep is certainly an entertaining package, it’s not quite the AAA freebie we were hoping to kick things off with. As we move into what is probably the PS4’s final full year in service, we’re hoping Sony ups the ante and delivers some more months similar to the caliber we came to expect in 2018. It’s early days yet, of course.

But let’s celebrate this month’s winning service, which is undoubtedly Xbox Games with Gold. Celeste is such a brilliant gaming experience, and after such universal praise last year, we shouldn’t underplay what a massive scoop this is for the service to have it free. Indie or not, this was one of 2018’s most acclaimed titles, fit to headline a Games with Gold month.

Elsewhere, the other games available on both platforms are also solid. WRC 6 is one of the better rally games out there, and both 360 games play just as well in 2018 as they did at launch. I can honestly say that all four games deserve your time this month.

Notably, with a platformer, racer, multiplayer experience, and an open world shooter available this month, there’s something for everyone in January on Games with Gold.